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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier
I have seen 2002 Ford Explorer sales brochures, pictures and specifications. Has anyone seen the vehicle and driven it? I would appreciate any additional information prior to placing an order.
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However, Ford left a great deal to be desired. You can't get heated rear-view mirrors on the XLT or XLS let alone the auto-dimming outside mirrors available on the new CM products. The dash is just plan boring. The interior feels cheaper. I believe that they call it "de-contenting" or something to that effect.
If you have prior-experience with the Explorer, you must be careful not to assume anything. Check out every nook and cranny (and the under-floor storage is nice) to make sure that they left in what you liked about the old Explorer.
One of the best things about the 2002 was that it had Michelin tires. I currently have a '99 Explorer and a '00 Contour. Both of those vehicles came with Firestone, but had replacements on them within the first few days of ownership.
I didn't care to much for the driver instrumentation and the compass and odometer are stuck in the corner, looking sort of an afterthought and it does seem a bit cheaper.
The ride was smoother than my '98 XLT but there wasn't a great difference, even over bumps. The steering was responsive and the brakes were great and it did feel that it had a little more balance and stability than prior years. It is roomier throughout and the third row seating is a nice addition, as well as it's lower and wider getting in and out. The back is lower also but I was disappointed to see that there is a noticeable rise a few inches into the back cargo area. I have a dog that is always jumping in and out and I couldn't help thinking that he'd hit that ridge with the front of his paws and it would hurt him.
GoHuskers..I would definitely take it for a long drive first and see it in and out before I'd place that order. I'm content getting a 2001 especially with the rebates that are being offered, waiting a few years for undetered kinks to be worked out.
Second, I agree with the mrfenway about the pluses and minuses. But don't get me wrong I also agree with sirknightd about how any one would be content with purchasing a 2001 with so much changing with the 2002. (okay so money does factor into this) beck the 2001, 2000, 1999 all look the same anyway.
Third, I really like what they have done with the new Explorer. Boy, they really thought some stuff out. The details are amazing.. larger coat hooks for plastic hangers... V-8 AND 4x4 offered together... my only complaint about it is where did the trip computer go? I have seen one BE and have yet to drive one. Did they put it in the dash by the speed limit? I wish they had left that along. I use that little feature all of the time. Besides that I am happy, well that and the two tone leather on the BE. Anyway I can't wait to get one and I must admit I am happy to see a 2002 Explorer board on Edmunds.
Now the interior, it has a very import car kinda of feel to it...to me anyways. They moved the compass and temp gauges into the instrument panel. I kinda like it better on the headliner like my 99 Sport has. One good thing about the EB is that they moved that silly computer thingy into the instrument panel as well, so you dont lose any center console space anymore. Another thing, the radio buttons are kinda small so they might be a pain to find in the dark, even though they'd be lit.One thing Im kinda dissapointed with is that you cant get the electrochromic mirror unless, once aain, you step up to the EB model. Now,the back cargo area is huge now..... compared to the last generation. Seem much more roomier. that independent rear suspension really made a big differen in space, no doubt about that.
Overall I am impressed with the 2002, but I sure wish they made some of the things you can get on the 2001 XLTs available on the 02's. Im sure in the next 2-3 model years they will. But for now, Im gonna trade in my 99 Sport for a 2001 XLT with the Sport package. The interest rates and rebates are just too damn good pass up. Maybe in 2-3 yrs I will upgrade to a 2003-4 or so.
I was disappointed to find out that a lot of the options like people have mentioned are only available on the Eddie Bauer and Limited and not on the XLS/XLT. You can build an XLT w/ leather, sunroof, third seat, etc. and you would still have to jump in price almost $2000 to get the little options like on the Eddie Bauer (auto climate control, electrochromatic mirror, message center, etc.). That is a lot of money just for little gadgets like that.
I was impressed with the third seat room - with the independent suspension in the rear, it really gives the Explorer a lot of third seat room. I'm 6'2" and I had plenty of leg room and head room. We have a Toyota Sienna minivan now (which we've had a lot of problems with), and I thought there was more headroom in the Explorer's third seat than in our minivan. There was also more leg room. However, you sacrafice a lot of cargo space in order to seat 6 or 7 people in the Explorer.
Anyway, thought I'd throw in my two cents worth. Talk to you later.
Wildcat
First, it seems that the packaging is a lot better than before...it seems roomier inside and has a 3rd row of seats yet does not look or feel much bigger on the outside.
I also liked the versatility of how the 2nd row of seats each folded independently and how the 3rd row os seats disappear when not in use.
I was also surprised to see that ground clearance has increased a lot, more than 9 inches now, while having a lower step-in height.
Overall I was very impressed.
Also has anyone had any experience with an WAD Mountaineer on the beach?
The good news: more room, 3rd row seat, great tailgate setup, more responsive steering, improved ride, so quiet at idle you could barely tell the engine was running, passenger assist handle on the A pillar.
The bad news: the instrument cluster (looks like it came out of a base model mustang), one piece console (very cheap looking and the rear seat controls on the back of the console look like an afterthought), seats (they feel mushy and much less supportive), the plastic surfaces seem like they belong in an economy car, who thought up putting the 4WD selector on the passenger side?
It seems like maybe the folks who design the interior for the Taurus didn't have enough to do, so Ford let them have at the Explorer interior.
After driving the Explorer I went and drove the new Olds Brevada. Its interior was where I thought Ford would have gone, building on the previous generation Explorer. Did GM hire the people who did Explorer interiors?
Maybe in trying to hold the overall price Ford decided they had to cut corners in some areas to offset the new goodies in the package. I think this approach is more apparent to someone coming from the previous Explorer than it would be to a first time Explorer buyer - unfortunately.
Thursday I test drove a two wheel drive 2002 Mountaineer and yesterday I test drove a 4WD 2002 Explorer XLT.
I am also frustrated in the decontenting Ford has done. I also expected them to build on the old Explorer. They took away a few little things like the extra sun visors, and the audio controls on the second row console. The finished areas of the doors and other plastic were actually rough to the touch.
That being said
Overall, the 2002 models are so much more car like
and i cant wait to get one of them
I d like a Mountaineer with 4WD, but of course they dont offer that, just AWD is offered.
I m going to wait for the stablilty control, dual stage air bags, and rollover senses due later this year.
The two wheel drive Mountaineer seemed to drive nicer than the explorer. But i drove it second, and the drastic change from my own explorer to the Mountaineer was my first impression. But also the Mountaineer has different shocks and tires.
So Ford must think it has such a hot vehicle that people are willing to pay a mark-up in order to get it?
Or is that just in my area (Wash DC)? The inside does sort of look somewhat cheesy, with the plastic paneling. I didn't drive it, and won't even consider it if this mark-up continues. Someone is making a huge mistake, don't know if it is Ford or just the local dealers.
Funny...the sticker was removed from the 2002 EB Explorer
i saw in the show room.
All the 2002 Mountaineers had stickers on them with no mention of any mark up.
I d be surprised the Ford Motor Company would institute such a policy. It would seem to be dealer based and quite transitory in nature. I bet that quite soon the mark up you mentioned will be gone.
When i priced the ACura mdx i was told of some finance acquisition fee of about four hundred dollars. When i grumbled i was told it would be dropped if ordered one option such as running boards.
I bet a little grumbling will have that fee dropped. When negotiating for a vechicle, always start up from the invoice price and remind them they get about a three per cent dealer holdback.
Some cars have high markups such as Mercedes, and they dont seem too impressed if u know the dealer invoice. Basically they will get what the market will bear. Typically with most vehicles about a thousand dollars over invoice is a fair deal.
EVery deal is different, new models will command a premium until the novelty wears off. If u can hold out, a few additional options may be offered later in the year, some of the quirks may also be ironed out by then.
The AWD on the Mountaineer is always roaring from the front end. The AWD causes the transmission to constantly down shift in the Mountaineer. It felt like I was driving around in an underpowerd 4 cyl. I did not get that from the XLT that had the 4x4 system. The steering was very tight (almost alarming) on the Mountaineer as I gave it a test but it did not feel top heavy. The Mountaineer transmission was not right. It did not shift properly. I kept telling myself it was new, it only had 4 miles on it when I took it for a test drive. I have alot of test drives from most makes under my belt and this was far from the smoothest shift I have witnessed. That concerns me. So I took the XLT out just to see if the roar from the front end was gone and if the transmission was different. Both items were not evident while dring the XLT. I have to tell the interior on the XLT looked and was cheap and put together poorly. I pointed out the center console construction (or lack of) to the salesperson. For 34K the XLT is not currently on my short list. The Mountaineer was only 35K and had more options than the XLT (heated seats, dual climate control, 5000 additional buttons that did all sorts of things). You be the judge. If you have to buy the EB or Limited to get some of the options that are on the Mountaineer the Mountaineer might be the better buy for less $$$.
The dash had a small amount of gray woodgrain around the radio AC control area, much better looking wood grain interior moldings on all the other SUVs I have driven. The high series center console looks like it came out of of an Escort, not a limited. But, the console did contain Air and heat vents for rear passengers. It had the third seat option and we could not get the seat to recline into a flat cargo deck configuration, probably our fault. It had optional rear air which means no moonroof because of the overhead vents and controls. I had the front seat moved back because I am 6'3" and had a difficult time entering/exiting the rear seat through the back door with the front seat in a tall person's position. My legs were also cramped when sitting behind the driver's seat. Some options like adjustable pedals, Homelink garage door opener, telescoping wheel and stability control will be available later in the model year. The dealers are issuing credits for the first three features which are not available.
I would rate the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited a little better on clear coat external finish and much better on interior material and quality. The Grand Cherokee Limited is also several thousand dollars cheaper with the current $2,000 rebate.
I'm waiting for the Eddie Bauer series to arrive before making a decision.
I am not wild about the interior, but maybe it will grown on me. I would definately have to have the EB or Limited because the gray plastic bumpers scream "Cheap, Cheap, Cheap."
I was comparing the sticker of it (around $36,500) to an EB, and there was no difference. Actually, I found an EB that was a couple 100 dollars more than the Limited. Does anyone know what the difference in options/features are, if any?
Thanks.